Closure cap and method of making same



1964 b". D. AcTdN ETAL 3,155,261

CLOSURE CAP AND ME2'Il-IOD OF MAKING SAME Filed 001;. 14, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet I Nov. 3, 1964 p.1 ACTON ET 3,155,261

CLOSURE CAP AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Oct. 14, 1963 2 $h66t$-$h96t2 Wmmm rray/v67 United States Patent 3,155,261 CLGSURE CAP AND METHGDQFMATGNG SAME Daniel D. Acton and Alexander W. Hart, Lancaster, Ghio,

assignors to Anchor Hashing Glass Corporation, Lancaster, (lhio, acorporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 14, 1%3, Ser. No. 315,805 7 Claims.(Cl. 215-38) The present invention relates to the sealing art and moreparticularly to ,an improved closure cap and an improved method ofmaking a closure cap.

Closure caps are usually formed by stamping a cupshaped shell out of asheet of metal and thereafter passing the shell through a series ofshaping tools to form the finished closure cap. In order to form all thestructural features of a finished closure cap it has been found that alarge amount of metal is used.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of animproved method of making a closure cap in which the amount of materialused to form the closure cap is reduced substantially.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedclosure cap.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedpress-on closure cap.

Another object .of the present invention is the provision of an improvednon-circular closure cap.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in section showing a closure capmade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a blank from which the closure cap isformed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the blank of FIG. 2 formed intoacup-shaped shell;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the step of coaxing the skirt ofthe cup-shaped shell inwardly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a further step in the formation ofthe closure cap;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the finished closure cap taken along line9-9 of FIG. 1 and showing the position of the closure cap when appliedto a container;

MG. 10 is a perspective view of a non-circular closure cap which may bemade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank from which the closure cap is made;

FIG. 13 is aperspective View showing a shell made from the blank of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the shellshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 1515 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view show ng the initial step of coaxing the edgeof the skirt portion inwardly;

3,155,261 Patented Nov. 3, 19 64 FIG. 17 is a sectional view showinganother step in the formation of the closure cap;

FIG. 18 is a'bottom plan view of the completed closure;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line =19l9 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 2ll20 of FIG. 18.

For simplicity the invention will be described in connection with aso-called press-on type closure cap, Le. a closure cap that is appliedto a container by pressing down on it Without applying a torque.However, it will be understood that the present invention may also beused in connection with other types of caps, such as twistcaps, etc.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to the emhodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the closure cap 1 of the presentinvention comprises a cover portion 2 and a skirt portion 3. A depressedannular head 4 is provided in the cover portion to form a gasketreceiving channel 5 between the bead 4 and the skirt portion 3. Thegasket-receiving channel 5 is adapted to receive a sealing gasket 6therein which, in the embodiment shown in the drawing, is a so-calledflowed-in type of gasket, i.e., a gasket which is formed by flowing amaterial in a plastic state into the channel 5 and which then sets toform the finished gasket 6. However, it will be understood that othertypes of sealing elements, such as cut gaskets or pulp type sealingliners, may also be used, if desired and it will be further understoodthat the present invention may also be used in connection with a closurecap which does not have a gasket-receiving channel.

The skirt portion 3 has its lower edge rolled inwardly to form a bead 7.The head 7'is provided with a plurality of spaced holding lugs 8 whichextend inwardly and upwardly from the head '7. Each lug 8 has anupwardly extending inner wall 9 spaced from the skirt portion'3 and anupper curved holding portion 10 extending inwardly toward the innersurface of the skirt portion 3 and downwardly toward the lower edge ofthe head.

The closure cap 1 is adapted to be snapped on to a container 20. In theembodiment shown in the drawings the container 22'} has an upper rim 21which cooperates with the sealing gasket 6 of the closure cap 1 to forman hermetic seal. The container 29 is also provided with an outwardlyextending holding head 22 adapted to cooperate with the curved holdingportion 19 of the holding lugs 8 of the closure cap 1 to hold theclosure cap 1 in place.

In operation, the closure cap 1 is pressed down over the container 2%until the holding portion ltlsnaps under the holding head 22 and thesealing gasket 6 presses on the rim 2i. While for convenience, thepresent invention is being described with particular reference to acontainer with a holding head 22 as shown in the drawing, it will beunderstood that the structure of the container may be changed, ifdesired.

The closure cap 1 is formed from a blank 12 which is shown in FIG. 2.The blank 12 has a polygonal shape having a plurality of side edges 13connecting apexes 14 together. In the embodiment of the invention shownin drawings the blank 12 is hexagonal, however, it will be understoodthat other configurations may be used.

The blank 12 is preferably stamped from a sheet of metal (not shown),however, it will be understood that the blank 12 may be formed in anydesired manner.

The blank 12 is first formed into a cup-shaped shell 15 (FIGS. 3 .and 4)with cover portion 2, depressed bead 4 and skirt portion 3. It will benoted that when the blank 12 is drawn to form the shell 15 the edges 13assume a curved configuration and the apexes 14 extend 3 below the edges13 to give the skirt generally undulating appearance.

The apexes M- are next coaxed inwardly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thewhole skirt 3 is then curled inwardly and upwardly at a point above theedges 13, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to form the lugs 8. With thiscurling operation the edges 13 are rolled inwardly to form the bead '7and the apexes 14 are moved to the position as shown in FIG. 9, to formthe upper portion ll of the lug 9.

It will thus be seen that by using the apexes 14 of the blank 12 to formthe lugs 8, the closure cap is formed with a minimum of material andwith fewer steps than heretofore possible.

It will also be seen that by using a hexagonal blank 12 a closure capwith six holding lugs 8 is formed, since each apex 1d becomes a lu Thus,if a closure cap with a different number of lugs is desired, a blank ofdifferent geometrical configuration may be used. Hence, a triangularblank would be used to form a three lug cap, a rectangular blank wouldbe used to form a four lug cap, etc.

Furthermore, the flattened-out length of each lug is greater than theflattened-out length of the skirt and the head.

It will also be seen what while the construction of the lugs 8 is shownin the drawing as particularly adapted for a press-on cap, the presentinvention can also be used to make closure caps with other types or"lugs.

FIGS. to show another embodiment of the present invention in which anon-circular cap 3t) is formed. The cap 3i is shown as having arectangular configuration and is provided with a cover portion 3 havingshoulders Ell adapted to form a gasket-receiving channel 51 and a skirtportion 32 depending from the cover portion 31. Since closure cap 34] isrectangular the cover portion 31 is rectangular and the skirt portion 32is formed in sections 33 and 34 at right angles to each other and jo nedto each other at corners 35.

The lower edge of the skirt portion 32 is rolled inward 1y to form ahead 36. Holding lugs 37 and extend inwardly from the bead 36 in spacedrelation to each other, The lugs 37 are integral with and extend fromskirt section 33 and lugs 38 are integral with and extend from skirtsection 34 The lugs 37 and 33 are similar in construction to the lugs 8shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9. Lugs 37 and 38 have a wallportion 39 and 49 respectively, extending upwardly and spacedfrom theskirt sections of the shell 15 a 33 and 34, respectively, and uppercurved portion ll and 42 extending inwardly toward skirt portions 33 and34, respectively.

The cap is formed from an oval blank 44 shown in FIG. 12. The oval blank44 has arcs 45 in the direction of its major axis and arcs 46 in thedirection of its minor axis. The blank is drawn along chords 47 and i8,opposite arcs i5 and 4e, respectively, into a rectangularly shaped shelld9, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The shell 49 is formed with cover portion 31, gasketreceiving channel 51and skirt sections 33 and 34. It will be noted that the arcs and 4-6 ofthe blank 44 become the, lower edges of the skirt sections 33 and 34,respectively, when the shell 59 is formed.

Th edges 45 are then coaxed inwardly, as shown in FIG. 16, and the skirtsections 33 and 3d are then curled inwardly and upwardly, as shown inFIG. 17, to form the lugs 37 and 38, respectively.

A liner 55 may then be inserted into the closure cap or, if desired, agasket (not shown) may be inserted in a gasket-receiving channel 51.

It will be understood that although closure cap 34 is illustrated in thedrawings as having the lugs with a particular configuration,theconfimration of the lugs may be changed without departing from thescope of the invention.

The present invention may also be used to make an oval shaped closurecap from a polygonal blank.

As an example, a blank may be used which diilers from the equilateralhexagonal blank shown in the drawings in that two of its opposite sidesare elongated. The extent of elongation of the size of the blank will bedetermined by the desired shape of the finished oval closure cap. Thefinished oval cap is then formed in a manner similar to that used inconnection with the formation of a round cap, as described above.

it will also be noted that although for convenience, the drawingsillustrate the invention by showing a rectangular closure cap 3% formedfrom an oval blank 44, it is within the purview of the present inventionto form other non-circular closure caps from generally circular blanks.Thus a square cap may be formed from a circular blank or polygonal capmay be formed from a circular blank by merely drawing the blank alongdifferent chords with the segment of the blank between the chord and theare which it faces being used to form the lug construction.

Here again the flattenedout length of each lug is greater than theflattened-out length of the bead and the skirt.

Hence, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improvedmethod of making a closure cap either circular or non-circular and animproved closure cap made thereby in which no excess material is used.

It will further be seen that the present invention enables a much deepercap to be formed and gives a choice for location of the lugs because ofthe absence of material at the edges of the skirt. Furthermore, theabsence of such material also increases the flexibility of the skirtportion.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:

1. A closure cap comprising a cover portion and a skirt portion, theedge of the skirt portion being rolled inwardly to form a bead,elongated lugs extending inwardly from said skirt portion and integralwith said bead, the lower edge of the bead and of said lugs being onsubstantially the same plane, the flattened-out length of each lug beinggreater than the flattened-out length of said skirt portion.

2. A closure cap comprising a cover portion and a skirt portion, lugsextending inwardly from said skirt portion, said lugs comprising anupwardly extending Wall elongated in a substantially vertical directionand spaced inwardly from said skirt portion and a holding portion abovesaid wall, the flattened-out length of each lug being greater than theflattened-out length of the skirt portion.

3. A closure cap comprising a cover portion and a skirt portion, theedge of the skirt portion being rolled into a bead, sealing means insaid closure cap, elongated lugs extending inwardly from said skirt andintegral with said bead the flattened-out length of each lug beinggreater than the flattened-out length of the skirt.

4. A non-circular closure cap comprising a cover portion and a skirtportion, the edge of the skirt portion being rolled into a bead, sealingmeans in said closure cap, elongated lugs extending inwardly from saidskirt and integral with said bead, the flattened-out length of each lugbeing greater than the flattened-out length of the skirt.

5. The method of forming a closure cap which comprises the steps ofmaking a blank having a plurality of apexes and side edges connectingsaid apexes, drawing areas of said blank adjacent said edges and apexesto form a cup-shaped shell with a skirt having short and long sections,coaxing the edges of said long sections of said skirt inwardly, andthereafter turning said short and LJ long sections inwardlysimultaneously to form a bead and holding lugs integral with said head.

6. The method of forming a closure cap which coinprises the steps ofmaking a blank having a plurality of arcs at its edge, drawing saidblank along chords facing said arcs to form a shell with a skirt portionhaving long and short sections, turning said long section of the skirtportion inwardly to form holding lugs and turning the short sectionsinwardly to form a bead.

7. A closure cap comprising a cover portion and a 19 skirt portion, theedge of the skirt portion being rolled inwardly to form a bead,elongated lugs extending inwardly from said skirt portion and integralwith said bead and overlying a substantial portion of the inner surfaceof 5 the skirt, a liner within said cap and having its edgesintermediate said cover portion and said lugs, the lower edge of thebead and of said lugs being on substantially the same plane, and theflattened out length of each lug being greater than the flattened outlength of said skirt portion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,597,010 Lyon May 20, 1952 3,001,495 Lyon Sept. 26, 1961 FOREIGNPATENTS 460,398 Germany May 10, 1928

1. A CLOSURE CAP COMPRISING A COVER PORTION AND A SKIRT PORTION, THEEDGE OF THE SKIRT PORTION BEING ROLLED INWARDLY TO FORM A BEAD,ELONGATED LUGS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID SKIRT PORTION AND INTEGRALWITH SAID BEAD, THE LOWER EDGE OF THE BEAD AND OF SAID LUGS BEING ONSUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE, THE FLATTENED-OUT LENGTH OF EACH LUG BEINGGREATER THAN THE FLATTENED-OUT LENGTH OF SAID SKIRT PORTION.